District 14 endorses GOP challengers, incumbent legislators called too liberal (North Dakota)

Inforum ^ | 2/20/24 | Michael Achterling

[cotton1706]

STEELE, N.D. — Three longtime incumbent Republican lawmakers will face challengers in the June primary after the district endorsed three newcomers, the latest example of division within the NDGOP.

Incumbents Sen. Jerry Klein, Rep. Jon Nelson and Rep. Robin Weisz attended District 14’s endorsing convention in Steele on Sunday, Feb. 18, but did not seek the endorsement.

District 14 Senate candidate Karisa Grothe and House candidates Larry Danduran and Jason Steidl made the case to about 250 attendees that they’re more conservative than the incumbents, who joined the Legislature together in 1997. Attendees voted unanimously to endorse the three newcomers, advancing them to the June 11 ballot.

Klein, Nelson and Weisz plan to gather signatures to also appear on the June ballot for District 14, a large district in central North Dakota.

Bob Harms, former chairman of the NDGOP, said he doesn’t think endorsement and primary challenges to incumbents are the “new normal,” but part of a healthy evolution for the party.

“If there is an element within the Republican Party that is unhappy with the current direction, then maybe the incumbent should recognize that there’s some discontent about that and try to address it,” Harms said.

Newly-endorsed Senate candidate Grothe said the three incumbent lawmakers are not serving their constituents as conservatives. She said she believed the incumbents were too liberal when it comes to issues like parents’ rights and carbon capture projects.

Grothe also said she’s ready for a primary fight in District 14 and has already been out door knocking in several communities.

[cotton1706]

"the incumbents, who joined the Legislature together in 1997"

Too long.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Thune’s been there too long. Too bad this movement is confined to the minor leagues.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Wrong state. ND isn’t doing much better.